Every two years, exactly on full moon on Sasih Kapat (the fourth month on traditional Caka calendar), people from four villages in Karangasem, East of Bali, shoulder hundreds of giant roasted pig, walk on the rocky sloping land, while withstanding from the attack of burning sun light to reach Gumang Temple on Juru Hill’s peak. It seems as a punishment but in fact it is not. It is their own way to express their gratitude of all the blessings they have got, the responsibility as the parents, and wish for the existence of fertile land.

A long time ago Bugbug was a poor village without any springs that made people who lived in it felt miserable. Until at one time the arrival of I Dewa Gede, a hermit, a hard worker, and also a farmer, brought a miracle to this village by his asceticism in Juru Hill. The miserable land had been turned to be flourishing and fertile land. Even more this blessing did not change Bugbug Village only but also the other three villages around Bugbug. The people of these villages thanked for this change and from that time, people of these four villages; Bugbug, Bebandem, Jasri, and Ngis; always conduct a sacred and unique ceremony in Gumang Temple on full moon on Sasih Kapat.

Balinese believe Sasih Kapat is the right month to hold a sacred ceremony even more in a full moon day. Many groups of men shoulder the giant roasted pig, the others carry a symbol of Lingga and Yoni on their head and their foot never stops walking on the sloping land to reach the peak of Juru.  This journey for them is so meaningful; every step must be has a meaning.

There on the peak of Juru, the roasted pig is hung on the old frangipani. Similar to any ceremony in Bali which has sequence, this ceremony consist of series of events. There, in Juru Hill, the parents hold ‘mapinton’ which function is to introduce their children by bringing offerings of hundreds of roasted pig. At this time, parents show their responsibility after having children through ‘mapinton’. The worship to Lingga and Yoni is also done to implore for a fertile land and good harvest. In the next morning all of them go down to continue the next ceremony, Jempana War, in the crossroad of Bugbug village. Afterward, the crowds continue their journey to Bale Agung Bugbug Temple to hold ‘Tetebahan’ ceremony. On the last day, this ceremony is closed by walking back with Lingga and Yoni on their head to their own village.

Fortunately this year, 2010, is the blessed year for the people from those four villages in Karangasem. They will conduct this ceremony on full moon day on Sasih Kapat. Have a desire to see it directly? Drive your car to Bugbug village ( east Candi Dasa) on September 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd. For your information Juru Hill is also recognized as Gumang Hill due to the existence of Gumang Temple there.

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